Improvement in working sn sheet metal



` UNrrnn STATES Partnr @einen I. B. HOLMES, OF CINCINNATLDHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN WORKiNG iN SHEET METAL.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1141,@ CG, dated May:'20, 1856.

` u res of reference marked thereon.

Similar figures of reference refer to correspending parts.

In connecting metal faces of wash-boards to the sides or legs, whichmetal faces commonly consist of sheet-zinc plates cut to the proper sizeand corrugated by a suitable machine, it is necessary to have thecorrugations retain the original shape given to them by thecorrugating-machine and to bend the edges of the plates at each end,which bent parts are let into the body-board, (forming the back of thewash-board.) Said bends should also be as near alike in their extent,distance apart, and their relative position to the corrugations of theplate as possible, so that one corrugating incision-knife will 'serve tomake the incisions in all the legs for the reception of differentplates, and so that the slits sawed in the body-board can all be sawedto one gage for receiving the different plates; and to effect the objectof gaging the length of the plate, the extent of the bends, and retainthe original shape of the corrugations in the plates given to them by`the eorrugating-maehine is the object and design of my improvement.

My improvement consists in making a machine provided with two metalplates which are furnished with corrugations to correspond with thosemade in the sheets of zinc by the corrugating-machine. One of the saidplates is secured to the frame of the machine, while the other is madeto move up and down directly over it, and is worked by a system oflevers, rods, and pulleys. The corrugated sheet of zinc to be gaged andbent is laid on the metal plate attached to the frame-work of themachine. The top plate is then brought down upon it by means of themechanical contrivances before mentioned, and holds the sheet of zinc toits original corrugated shape, while grooved eccentric bendi ng-shaftsrevolve and will be supported by legs.

around on each side of the machine, and come in contact with and bendthe ends of the sheet of Zinc down at right angles. After thisoperation, the machinelifts the top plate, and the bent and preparedsheet of zinc is taken out and replaced by another to undergo the sameoperation.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my improvement, Iwill proceed to describe its construction and operation by referringdirect to the accompanying drawings.

Figure A represents a rear elevation of the machine in a supposedcomplete state, showing the means employed for giving motion to theeccentric bending-shafts and elevating the plate that holds thecorrugated sheet of zinc while being bent. Fig. B is atop view of themachine. Fig. C represents a transverse seetional view of the same. Fig.D shows part of the two plates for holding the zine while being bent, incombination wit-h an end view of the eccentric bending-shaft.

l lis supposed to be the top of the table, To this table the differentparts ofthe machine are attached.

3 represents the bottom corrugated plate made fast to the top of thetable. Upon this plate the corrugated zine sheet is placed, and heldthere by means of the top corrugated plate, 2, rod 5, lever 6, frame S,and eccentries 9 9, while the eccentric bending-shafts i et are made torevolve around by means of the shaft 11 and right and left screws 12 12on said shaft. These screws, working into the wheels 10 l0, (onbending-shafts 44,) eauses them to revolve around and bend down thatportion of the zinc sheet which projects over the edge of the plate, asrepresented in Fig. D.

1S 18 is supposed to be the Zine sheet between the two corrugatedplates, and 2O is the end of it projecting over the edge of the plate,and in the process of being bent at a right angle by the eccentricbending-shaft i. The darts denote the direction of the shafts motion. Assoon as the bending process is co1npleted, the top corrugated plate iselevated by the eecentries 9 9, (one attached to each of the shafts et4.,) and the frame S, lever G, and rod 5, and the bent sheet of Zinc isremoved and replaced by another sheet to undergo a similar operation ofgaging and bending.

1i 14 are guides to keep the frame S in a vertical position. 15 15 areguard pieces i placed at the rear of the Corrugated plates 2 and 3 toprevent the sheet of zine from being shoved too far back.

16 16 represent the bearings in which the eccentric bending-shafts 4 4revolve, and 17 17 are the bearings in which the shaft 11 revolves, thatworks the benders and top corrugated plate, 2.

7 is the arch-piece for holding the lever G, that works the plate 2.

llhe machine will be worked by means of a belt passing around the pulley13, or a crank, if desired.

21 is a recess eut in the front of the corrugated plates 2 and 3 forgiving the iingers an opportunity to take hold of the ,zinc sheet whenbeing put in and taken-out of the inachine.

The angular groove made in the bendingeccentric for taking a better holdof the Zinc Meere sheet to bend it down is fully shown in Fig. D, and isent on the ecentric portion of the shaft, and as it bends the edge ofthe plate down the bendis made a little beyond a right angle by cuttingthe under edge of the lower plate, S, away, so that the top angle oredge of the lower plate will form an acute instead of right angle, asfully represented in Fig. D.

lVhat I claim as my improvement, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

The use of corrugated plates 2 and 3, constructed as described, andoperating in connection with the eccentric bendingand gaging shafts U14, in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

l. B. HOLMES.

Witnesses:

1V. E. VA'rsoN, L. XV. SMVrH.

